The Seasonal Guide to Family Skincare: How To Change Your Routine To Suit Seasonal Weather Shifts

Key Takeaways:

• Change up your family routine to protect against specific seasonal threats, such as allergens in spring and barrier repair in fall.
• Switch to thick, occlusive creams in the fall and winter, and transition to lightweight lotions or fractionated oils during spring and summer.
• The fundamental routine of cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen doesn’t change through the seasons; the formulas, weights, and thicknesses do.

An effective skincare routine includes an age-appropriate cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Each product is a line of defense, offering protection and nourishment for your skin. But how do you adjust these skincare essentials throughout the year?

After all, we know that changing weather affects our skin. The dry, cold air of winter doesn’t have the same effect as the warm, humid air of summer; one strips away moisture, and the other hydrates.

By understanding the unique characteristics of each season, it’s easier to understand the shifts necessary in your family’s skincare routine, from papa and mama bears to the tiniest cub.

Winter: Deep Hydration and Barrier Protection

Between the lack of humidity in the air and the body’s natural tendency to produce fewer protective oils, winter acts as a perfect storm for skin irritation and damage. The dry atmosphere acts like a supercharged shop vac, sucking moisture out of your skin faster than your body can replenish it.

To counter this, transition from lightweight lotions to thicker, oil-based creams, choosing formulas that lock in moisture and create a protective barrier from the cold, dry weather. Look for occlusive ingredients, such as shea butter or coconut oil for skin.

For your family’s winter routine, skip long, hot showers and try short, lukewarm baths. While the skin is still damp, apply the heavier moisturizer, trapping the water on the skin’s surface before it can evaporate into the dry air.

Spring: Renewal and Allergy Defense

For spring, move towards lighter, water-based moisturizers or fractionated oils. You want products that don’t feel heavy on the skin and absorb quickly.  The increase in warmth and dampness means there is more humidity in the air, which means less need to lock in moisture with heavy creams.

For your little ones, or anyone in the family with sensitive skin, spring can be uncomfortable. To limit skin reactions this time of year, focus on fragrance- and chemical-free moisturizers and focus on gentle cleansing products that clear pores and wash away allergens that can “stick” to skin and hair.

Summer: Shield and Oil Control

Summer is refreshing for the soul, especially following a long, dry winter, but it’s also tough on your skin. Increases in sweat and natural oil production can clog pores or trap dirt and environmental irritants.

Longer days mean increased sun and UV exposure. Make sure that anytime you or your loved ones step outside, they apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen. Reapply every two hours and especially after swimming.

For moisturizing, stick with lighter moisturizers that don’t leave much of a residue. Fractionated coconut oil is an excellent option because it has the hydrating properties of traditional oil, but absorbs quickly without leaving a thick residue.

Fall: Repair and Preparation

As with spring, fall is another transitional season, moving from the warm humidity of summer back into the cool dryness of winter. This means repairing summer damage and preparing or strengthening the skin barrier for the impending cold.

Fall is a time to reintroduce skincare products with vitamin A and vitamin C, two nutrients that contribute to cell turnover and protect against environmental pollutants. During this time, continue with gentle cleansing for infants and those with sensitive skin. Family members with less sensitive skin can use gentle exfoliants to clean the skin and remove dead skin cells.

Finally, transition back to cream-based or heavier moisturizers. These products create a thicker, more protective barrier against the shop-vac-like atmosphere in the fall and winter.

Year-Round: Consistency and Age-Appropriate Care

To maintain youthful skin, consistency and age-appropriate care are essential. Regardless of the time of year, a family skincare routine should include a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. The things that change are the formulas or the consistency (weight and thickness) of the product. For more specific advice, contact a family dermatologist.